Film processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An automatic film sheet developing apparatus having a number of processing compartments formed in a unitary housing and including a like number of modular film-advancing roller assemblies each slideably insertable into and removable from a corresponding one of the compartments for propelling and guiding a sheet of film sequentially through the compartments to accomplish development of the film. A crossover roller assembly unit is disposed above the processing compartment roller assemblies and guides the film from one compartment to the next in the processing sequence. Apparatus for powered rotation of the rollers is provided, including a motor and gear train driven thereby. Substantially all of the roller drive gear train is incorporated into and removable with the individual roller assemblies and thus upon removal of the roller assemblies the interior of the processing unit is free both of the rollers and the associated drive mechanism. The individual rollers are resiliently mounted in the modular assembly units to accommodate film of varying thickness and to avoid jamming of the film in the drive system. A calibrated pump supplies predetermined quantities of developer solution and fixer solution to the respective compartments in proportion to the linear movement of the film advancing through the processor in order to maintain the proper chemical balance in the respective solutions.

United States Patent [191 Miller Sept. 25, 1973 FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS 75 Inventor William SQMillen'Santa Clara, Calif. 1 ABSTRACT [73] Assignee: Filmamatic Corporation, formerly An automatic film sheet developing apparatu? having Kimball Associates, Inca a number of processing compartments formed in a uni- Sunnyvale, Calif tary hous ng and including a like number of modular l film-advancing roller assemblies each slideably insert- Flledi g- 1971 able into and removable from a corresponding one of [21] p N 168,648 the compartments for propelling and guiding a sheet of I film sequentially through the compartments to accom- Related Applicalionnata plish development of the film. A crossover roller as- [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 134,693, April 16, sembly unit is disposed above the processing compart- 1971, abandoned. ment roller assemblies and guides the film from one compartment to the next in the processing sequence. [52] US. Cl. 95/94 R, 95/89 R, 95/89 A Apparatus for powered rotation of the rollers is pro- [51 Int.- Cl. GQl'g ll/ll vided, including a motor and gear train driven thereby. [58] Field of Search 95/89, 94 Substantially all of the roller drive gear train'is incorporated into and removable with the individual roller as- [56] References Cited semblies and thus upon removal of the roller assemblies UNITED STATES PATENTS the interior of the processing unit is free both of the 3,043,206 7/1962 Fulton Q. 95/94 R 9 and the f f drive mechanism The indi' 3,514,203 5/1970 Zerfaks 95/89 vidual rollers are resiliently mounted in the modular as- 3 532 0 10 19 0 Hope 95/94 R sembly units to accommodate film of varying thickness 3,511,160 5/1'970 Reusel.... 95/89 R and to avoid jamming of the film in the 'drive system. 3,345,928 10/1967 Krehbiel... 95/94 R A calibrated pump supplies predetermined quantities 22, 1/19 9 Fl ish r et al- 95/89-R of developer solution and fixer solution to the respec- 10/1969 61 95/39'R v tive compartments in proportion to the linear move- 12/1960 Dorionzm' 95/96 x Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews 7 Assistant ExaminerRichard M. Sheer Att0rneyTownsend and Townsend ment of the film advancing through the processor in order to maintain the proper chemical balance in the respective solutions.

8 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures Pmmrin t z minis I90 I65 I66 FIG 2 mvsmon WILL/AM 5. M/LLER y m. MW

68 FIG, 3

ATTORNEY PATENTEU sumanrs E @Q MQ v3 &

mm mm mm M Q kw A, INVENTOR. 7 W/LLAM S MILLER BY m A T'TOR/VE Y PATENTED $925575 SHEUBBFS INVENTOR. MILL/AM .S. MILLER A TTOR/VE) RINK $8 KQI CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS ical parts and preventive-maintenance cleaning of the processor interior. In addition, the individual rollers are resiliently mounted to the supporting side plates to accomrnodate film of varying thickness and to reduce the This application is a continuation-in-part of my cojamming of filmbetween the rollers.

pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 134,693, filed Apr. '16, 1971, now abandoned, and entitled FIL PROCESSING APPARATUS. v

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 7 The present invention relates in general to photographic film processing apparatus and is particularly In addition, due to the mechanical complexity of such apparatus, maintenance and repair require substantial amounts of time, as does preventive maintenance cleaning required with such devices on a regular periodic basis. Also, if a film sheet becomes jammed or otherwise entangled within the machine, it is often necessary to disassemble substantially the entire roller transport mechanism to remove the film.

Furthermore, earlier film processing apparatus of this type utilizetransport rollers that have a tendency to gain and do not have sufficient room for expansion to accommodate film of varying thicknesses. Also, replenishment of the developer and fixer solutions was not adaptedto automatically compensate for processing of film of varying length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An automatic film sheet processor having developer, fixer, wash and dryer compartments formed in a unitary housing with a slideably insertable and removable film transport roller assembly unit disposed within each of the processingcompartments. The individual roller assembly unitseach include a plurality of filmhousing and supported between a pair of spaced side plates. A drive gear is mounted to the rollers at one end thereof in fixed relation. I

A crossover roller assembly of similar construction is disposed above the developer, fixer, wash and dryer roller assemblies and serves to reverse the direction of travel of the film and guide it from one compartment to the next in the processing sequence. Certain of the gears of the crossover roller assembly mesh with corresponding gears on each of the processing compartment roller assemblies. Together these gears form a continuous gear train which transmits rotary motion to all of the rollers from a single power source such as a motor.

Because each of the roller assemblies is'slidea'bly removable from the processor housing and because the roller drive gear train is an integral part of the respective roller assemblies, upon removal of the assemblies from the housing substantially all of the roller drive mechanism is detached therefrom, along with the rollers themselves. This modularity of the drive system facilitates maintenance and repair of the various mechanadvancing 'rollers extending transversely'i-across the A calibrated pump supplies predetermined quantities of developer solution and fixer solution to the respective compartments per unit of linear movement of the film being processed as it advances through the apparatus in-order to maintain the proper chemical balance in the respective solutions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a side elevation view of the apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. I.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation view partially in section of a roller and gears employed in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of the present invention with the side of the housing removed and taken along line IF-4 of FIG. I. I I

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of the developer section of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation view of the fixer section of the apparatus shown in FIG. I.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevation view of the wash section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

. FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation view of the crossover roller section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary axial section view of a roller employed in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevation view of the dryer section of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. lllis a schematic diagram of the electrical, wa-

ter, replenishment and drain system employed in the apparatus shown in FIG. I.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT housing I'I'is' acover I 2' made of suitable material; such' as plastic, fiberglass or the like. The cover I2 is formed with an inlet 13 through which film to be processed is inserted. Confronting, depending angularly disposed walls 14 and I5 form a substantially V-shaped, transversely disposed surface to guide film to entrance into the apparatus for processing.

The housing 11 includes a developer section 20 in which film F to be processed is initially subjected to a conventional developer solution. From the developer section, the film F to be processed is advanced through a fixer section 25 to be treated with a conventional fixer solution. After leaving the fixer section 25, the film F to be processed is washed by water in a wash section 30. The processed film F then advances through a dryer section 35, which serves to dry the processed film prior to discharge through an outlet 40 found in the cover.

Thus it is seen that the film enters the processor at the top surface thereof through inlet I3 in cover I2 and is discharged at the top surface of the apparatus through outlet 40 also formed in cover I2. This arrangement makes introduction of the film into the apparatus and retrieval therefrom after processing especially convenient and eliminates stooping by the operator.

Below the developer section 20 and the fixer section 25 is located means for automatically supplying quantities of developer solution and fixer solution in accordance with the linear amount of film advanced through the apparatus to maintain the proper chemical balance in the respective solutions. Above the developer section 20, the fixer section 25 and the wash section 30 is located a crossover roller guide assembly 50 for reversing the direction of travel of the film F for passage through the various processing steps.

The crossover roller assembly is modular in construction and includes a pair of transversely spaced confronting side plates 51, only one being shown, that are removably mounted in the housing 11 at the upper portion thereof and extend above the developer section 20, the fixer section 25 and the wash section 30. The side plates 51 are made of suitable material, such as acrylic. Film F to be processed is fed through the inlet 13. Below the inlet 13 are a pair of rollers 52 and 53 that extend transversely across the housing 11 and are supported by the side plates 51. Thus, film F to be processed is fed into the inlet 13 and advances between the rollers 52 and 53. The rollers 52 and 53 rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 to advance the film F into the developer section 20. The side plates 51 together with the attached gears and rollers are slideably insertable into and removable from the housing as an integral unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the developer section comprises a developer solution tank 60, which is made of suitable material, such as stainless steel, and is mounted in the housing 11 below the inlet 13 and the rollers 52 and 53. The unitary housing interior is formed into compartments which define the sections 20, and and which hold the tanks containing the different processing solutions. The developer solution contained in the tank 60 is well known in the film processing art.

The developer compartment roller assembly module has the following construction. Inboard of the developer tank 60 are transversely spaced, removable side plates 61 (only one being shown in FIGS. 4 and 5), which are disposed in the tank 60. The plates 61 are respectively one-piece units that are made of suitable material such as acrylic.

Below the rollers 52 and 53 and extending transversely between the plates 61 to be supported for rotation thereby are vertically spaced rollers 63-64, and 65-66. Roller 63 is a rubber pacing roller for inhibiting the film against slippage. The rollers 63-66 are disposed in the developer tank 60. As viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rollers 63 and 6S rotate clockwise and the rollers 64 and 66 rotate counterclockwise to advance the film F into the developer tank 60 therebetween. The drive for the rollers 63-66 will be described hereinafter.

Between the roller 53 and the roller 64 is a drive gear 67, which is supported by the side plate 61 for rotation. A drive gear 68 is disposed transversely between the roller 64 and the roller 66 and is likewise supported by the side plate 61 for rotation as shown in FIG. 3.

All the rollers mentioned herein are driven positively for rotation. Toward this end, each of the rollers herein have a suitable gear fixed to one end thereof for meshing with adjacent gears fixed to other rollers or adjacent drive gears as in FIG. 3. For purposes of convenience each gear will be identified herein by the same reference numeral as the roller to which it is fixed with a suffix a."

- Another drive gear 69 is disposed below the roller 66, which is similar to gear 68 and is also supported by the plate 61 for rotation. Gears 67, 68 and 69 are driven in a manner to be described hereinafter, and mesh with cooperating gears mounted on rollers 53, 64 and 66.

For turning the direction of travel of the film F within the developer tank 60, a roller 70 of greater diameter than the other rollers in the developer tank 60 has the film F trained therearound so as to reverse the direction of travel of the film F from a downwardly direction to an upwardly direction through the developer tank 60. The roller 70 extends transversely across the housing 11 and is journalled for rotation by the side plates 61. In a manner to be described hereinafter, the roller 70 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5. Confronting the direction reversing roller 70 are rollers 71-73, which are spaced 90 apart. The rollers 71-73 extend transversely across the housing 11 and are journalled for rotation within the developer tank 60 by the side plates 61. The film F in its direction reversing action advances between the roller 70 and the rollers 71-73.

Sets of paddle rollers and 76 are adjacent the rollers 72 and 73 and are disposed transversely across the housing 11. The plates 61 journal the sets of paddle rollers 75 and 76 for rotation. Suitable means on the rollers 75 and 76 serve to stir the developer solution in the tank 60.

Above the rollers 70 and 73 are pairs of rollers 80-81, 82-83, and 84-85, which are journalled for rotation by the side plates 61 and extend transversely therebetween. The rollers 80, 82 and 84 rotate counterclockwise and the rollers 81, 83 and 85 rotate clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5 to advance the film F upwardly through the developer tank 60. After the film F advances beyond the rollers 84 and 85, the developer cycle is completed. Thus, the film F has advanced through the developer tank 60 and has a loop configuration as it advances therethrough. Arcuate guides 86 and 87 guide the movement of the film F while trained around the roller 70. The side plates 61 together with the attached gears and rollers are slideably insertable into and removable from the developer compartment 20 as an integral unit.

Mounted on the plates 51 for rotation is a direction reversing roller 90 (FIGS. 4 and 8), which is similar to the roller 70. The roller 90 is disposed above the developer section 20 and the fixer section 25 and extends transversely across the housing 11. Trained around the roller 90 is the film F, whereby rotation of the roller 90 reverses of the direction of travel of the film F to direct the same toward the fixer section 25. Confronting the roller 90 are transversely disposed rollers 91-93, which are supported by the plates 51 for rotation and are spaced apart substantially 90. The film F advances between the roller 90 and the rollers 91-93. The roller 90 rotates clockwise and the rollers 91-93 rotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 8. Rotation is imparted to the rollers 90-93 in a manner to be described hereinafter.

For maintaining the rollers 90-93 wet with developer solution in order to keep the film F wet with developer solution, a wetting roller 96 is journalled by the plates 51 for rotation, and has peripheral contact with the peripheries of the roller 90. The roller 96 is partially disposed within the developer tank 60 and, hence, is always wet with developer solution. A drive gear 91 is supported by the plates 51 for rotation and meshes with gear 900 for imparting rotation to roller 90 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3. Arcuate guides 97-99 are supported by the plates 51 and guide the film F while trained around the roller 90.

Downstream of the developer tank 60 within the housing 11 and below the rollers 90-93 is disposed a fixer tank 100. The fixer tank 100 is located in the fixer section 25 and is made of suitable material, such as plastic or fiberglass. Suitable fixer solution is contained in the fixer tank 100 of the type well known in the art. Inboard of the fixer tank 100 are disposed removable, transversely spaced side plates 101 (only one shown in FIGS. 1 and 6). The side plates 101 are made of suitable material, such as acrylic, and are of one-piece construction, respectively.

.Iournalled by the side plates 101 for rotation and .transversely disposed within the fixer tank 100 are pairs of rollers 103-101 and 105-106. The rollers 103-106 extend transversely between the plates 101 and are disposed below the direction reversing roller 90. The rollers 103 and 105 rotate in the clockwise direction and the rollers 101 and 106 rotate in the counterclockwise direction to advance the film F downwardly into the fixer tank 100. Drive means to be described hereinafter rotate the rollers 103-106.

Between the roller 90 and the rollers 103 and 104 is a pair of drive rollers 107 and 108, whose gears mesh with gears on the rollers 101 and 121. The film F advances from the roller 90 between the drive rollers 107-100 into the fixer tank 100 to be advanced downwardly between the rollers 103-101 and rollers 105-106. Between the rollers 101-106 is located a drive gear 110, which is supported by the side plates 101 for rotation. The gear 108a meshes with the gear 107a and the gears of the'rollers 101 and 121. The gear 107a. also meshes with the gear of the roller 90.

For reversing the direction of travel of the film F within the fixer tank 100 is a direction reversing roller 115, which extends transversely between the plates 101. The reversing roller 115 is journalled for rotation by the side'plates 101. Confronting the reversing roller 115 are transversely extending rollers 116-118. The rollers 116-110 are spaced substantially 90 apart and are rotated in a manner to be described hereinafter. The roller 115 rotates counterclockwise and the rollers 116-118 rotate clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 6 to advance the film F therebetween upwardly within the fixer tank 100. A drive gear 111 meshes with the gears of rollers 106 and 1 15 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3. A set of circulating pump paddle rollers 119 is journalled by the plates 101 for rotation for stirring and agitating the solution within the fixer tank 100. The set of rollers 119 mesh with the gear of the roller 110, whereby the roller 115 imparts rotation to the set of paddle rollers 119.

Above the roller 115 are disposed transversely extending pairs of rollers 120-121, 122-123 and 121-125. The rollers 120-125 are journalled for rotation by the side plates 101, and are driven in a manner to be described hereinafter. The rollers 120, 122 and 124 rotate in a counterclockwise direction and the rollers 121, 123 and 125 are driven in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 6. The film F is advanced upwardly within the fixer tank by the rollers 120-125. Arcuate guides 120 and 129 guide the film F while trained around the roller 115. As the film F advances beyond the rollers 121-125, the fixer step is completed. The side plates 101 together with the gears and rollers journalled thereto are slideably insertable and removable from the fixer compartment 25 as an integral unit.

For reversing the direction of travel of the film F from the fixer section 25 into the wash section 30, a direction reversing roller 130 is journalled for rotation by the plates 51. The roller 130 extends transversely therebetween and is disposed above the fixer section 25 and the wash section 30. Confronting the roller 130 are rollers 131-133, which are spaced substantially 90 apart. The rollers 131-133 are transversely disposed and are supported for rotation by the plates 51. Drive means to be described hereinafter rotate the roller 130 clockwise and the rollers 131-133 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 0 to reverse the direction of travel of the film Ftherebetween and advance the film F from the fixer section 25 into the wash section 30. Arcuate guides similar to guides 97-99'guide the movement of the film F while trained around the roller 130.

A drive gear 131 is supported by the side plates 51 for rotation between the roller 130 and the roller 125. The film F is trained around the roller 130 between the rollers 131-133 for reversing the direction of travel thereof.

Downstream of the fixer section 25 and within the housing 11 is disposed a wash tank which is the reamining portion of the housing 11-i.e., formed by housing 11 and the exterior surface of the downstream wall of fixer tank 100. Inboard of the wash tank portion of the housing 11 are disposed removable transversely spaced side plates 111 (FIGS. 1 and 7). The side plates 111 are disposed in the housing 11 and are made of suitable material, such as acrylic, and are respectively of a unitary construction.

Below the direction reversing roller 130 are pairs of rollers 113-111 and -116, which are supported for rotation by the side plates 111 within the wash tank. The rollers 113-116 extend transversely across the housing 11 and advance the film F from the roller downwardly into the wash tank. The film F advances between the rollers 113-111 and 115-116. Drive means to be described hereinafter rotate the rollers 113 and 115 clockwise and the rollers 111 and 116 counterclockwise.

Above the rollers 113-111 and below the roller 130 are transversely disposed drive rollers and 151 to guide the film F from the roller 130 to the rollers 113 and 111. Rollers 150 and 151 are supported by the side plates 111. The gear 151a meshes with the gear 150a and the gear on roller 111. The gear 150a also meshes with the gear on roller 130. A drive gear 153 is disposed between the rollers 111 and 116 to mesh with the gears thereof (similar to FIG. 3), and is supported by the side plates 111.

In order to reverse the direction of travel of the film F within the wash tank, a direction reversing roller 155 is disposed transversely of the housing 11 and is journalled for rotation within the wash tank 110 by the side plates 111. Confronting the direction reversing roller 155 are. rollers 156-150. The rollers 156-150 extend transversely across the housing 11 and are supported for rotation by the side plates 141. Drive means to be described hereinafter rotate the roller 155 counterclockwise and the rollers 156-158 clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 7 to advance the film F therebetween upwardly through the wash tank. The film F is trained around the roller 155 to reverse the direction of travel thereof. Guide plates 148 similar to guide plates 86-87 and 128-129 guide the film F while trained around the roller 155. 1

Between the roller 155 and the roller 146 is a transversely disposed gear 159, which is supported by the side plates 141 for rotation and is similar to the drive gear in FIG. 3. The gear 159 meshes with the gears of the rollers 155 and 146. The rollers 156-158 guide the film F in its reversing movement around the roller 155. Above the rollers 155 and 158 are located pairs of rollers 160-161 and 162-163. The rollers 160-163 are supported for rotation by the side plates 141 and extend transversely across the housing 11. The rollers 160 and 162 are rotated counterclockwise and the rollers 161 and 163 are rotated clockwise by drive means to be described hereinafter for advancing the film F therebetween upwardly within the wash tank 140.

A gear 164 supported by the plate 141 meshes with the gears of roller 144 and a squeegee roller 135. The gear 164 is supported for rotation by the side plate 141 in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3. Beyond the gear 164 in the direction of travel of the film F are disposed the squeegee roller 135 and a squeegee roller 136. The squeegee rollers 135 and 136 extend transversely across the housing 11 and are supported by the side plates 141 for rotation. The squeegee rollers serve to remove the wash solution from the film F as it advances therebeyond and are made of suitable rubber material to remove the wash solution from the film F. The squeegee rollersalso serve to guide the film F to advance out of the wash tank at an angular turn toward the dryer section 35. Suitable arcuate guides 147 guide the movement of the film F toward the dryer section 35. The side plates 141 together with the gears and rollersjournalled thereto are slideably insertable and removable from the wash compartment 30 as an integral unit.

A rotatable drive motor 137 (FIGS. 2 and 4) is fixed to a lower wall of the housing 11. A sprocket 138 (FIG. 2) is fixed to the drive shaft of the motor 137 for rotation therewith. Trained around the sprocket 138 is a suitable endless chain 139 (FIG. 2), which is also trained around a driven sprocket 165. The driven sprocket 165 is fixed to a drive shaft 166 to impart rotation thereto. The drive shaft 166 is mounted on the side wall of the housing 11 by suitable brackets which are adjacent the side of the rollers on which the gears are fixed.

Fixed to the drive shaft 166 for rotation therewith is a concentric worm gear 167. The worm gear 167 meshes with a gear 168 (FIGS. 4 and 8) to impart rotation thereto. The gear 168 is fixed to a shaft 169 that is supported for rotation by the side plates 51 to impart rotation thereto. Also fixed to the drive shaft 169 is a gear 169'(FIG.8). The gear 168 meshes with the gears 135a and 151a to impart rotation thereto. The gears 135a and 151a mesh with their adjacent gears to impart rotation thereto. Each gear within the wash section 30 will mesh with its adjacent gears with the result that all the rollers in the wash section 30 will rotate simultaneously.

The gear 1500 also meshes with the gear 1300, which in turn meshes with gears 131a-133a and 134. The gear 134 meshes with the gear. a to impart rotation thereto, which, in turn, meshes with the gear 124a. Each gear within the fixer section 25 will mesh with its adjacent gear or gears to impart rotation thereto. As a consequence thereof, all the rollers in the fixer section 25 rotate simultaneously. The gear 1070 of the fixer section 25 meshes with the gear 900 to impart rotation thereto. Thereupon, the gear 900 rotates the gears 91a-93aand 94. The gear 94 meshes with the gear 85a to rotate the same. The gear 850 rotates the gear 84a. All the gears in the developer section 20 impart rotation to its adjacent gear or gears with the result all the rollers in the developer section 20 rotate simultaneously. The gear 67 meshes with the gear 53a to rotate the same, which, in turn, rotates the gear 52a for rotating the roller 52.

The dryer section 35 (FIGS. 4 and 10) is downstream of the wash section 30 and comprises substantially right angular side plates 170 spaced transversely in the housing 11 (only one being shown). As the film F advances beyond the squeegee rollers 135 and 136, it advances between transversely disposed, longitudinally spaced pairs of rollers 172-173, 174-175, 176-177, 178-179, and 180-181 and 182-183. The points of tangential contact between the rollers of each pair 172-173, 174-175, 176-177, 178-179, 180-181 and 182-183 are in a horizontal plane. Each of the rollers 172-183 have gears fixed thereto in the manner of FIG. 3, which are identified by the reference numeral of the roller to which it is fixed with the suffix a.

For imparting drive continuity between pairs of rollers 172-173 and 174-175, a drive gear 184 is disposed in meshing relation with the gears of the rollers 173 and 175 for rotating these rollers in a clockwise direction and rollers 172 and 174 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10. Similarly, to maintain drive continuity between pairs of rollers 174-175 and 176-177, a drive gear 185 is disposed in meshing relation with the gears of the rollers 175 and 177 for rotating these rollers in the clockwise direction and rollers 174 and 176 in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10. Further, drive continuity is maintained between the rollers 176-177 and the rollers 178-179 by a drive gear 186 meshing with the gears of the rollers 177 and 179 to rotate the same.

Fixed to the drive shaft 166 for rotation therewith is a concentric worm gear 190 (FIGS. 2 and 4). Meshing with the worm gear 190 is a gear 191 (FIG. 4), which is supported by a transverse shaft 192 extending across the housing 11 and journalled for rotation by the side plates 170. Fixed to the shaft 192 for rotation therewith is a gear 193. The gear 193 meshes with the gear 1780 to rotate the roller 178. In turn, the gear 178a meshes with the gear 1790 to rotate the roller 179. In turn, the gear 179a meshes with the gear 186. Thereupon, the gear 186 meshes with the gear 177a for rotating the roller 177. This procedure continues upstream up to gear 172a so that each gear meshes with its adjacent gear, so that the rollers 172-179, and gears 184-186 rotate simultaneously.

Continuing downstream, a gear 195 meshes with the roller gear 179a and is driven thereby. The gear 195 also meshes with the gear 19611 of the roller 196 to rotate the same. Thereupon, the gear 197 rotates through gear 196a It is apparent the rollers 181 and 180 will rotate. A drive gear 198 meshes with the gear 181a of the roller 181 and is driven thereby and meshes with the gear 1830 to drive roller 183 and, in turn, roller 182. A roller 199 maintains tension on the drive roller 196.

As the film F advances beyond the rollers 182-183, it follows a curved path between the following pairs of rollers 200-201, 202-203, 204-205, 206-207, 208-209, and 210-211. After the film F advances beyond the rollers 210-211, it is discharged through the outlet 40 (FIGS. 1 and 4) fully developed. For aiding the turning movement of the film F over an upward arcuate path through the dryer section 35 for discharge ofthe roller to which they are affixed with a suffix a.

Supported by the side plate 170 (in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3) for rotation are gears 215 and 216 which are fixed to shafts extending across the housing 11. The gear 215 meshes with the gear 182a of the roller 182 to be rotated thereby. In turn, the gear 215 meshes with the gears 200a and 202a for imparting rogear 215 and also rotates gear 204a which in turn rotates gear 2052. In turn, the gear 216 meshes with the gears 206a, 208a and 2100 to impart rotation to the rollers 206, 208 and 210. Each gear 200a 21 1a of the rollers 200-211 in the dryer section 35 will mesh with adjacent gears or gear to impart rotation to its adjacent rollers or drive gears.

All of the rollers of the dryer section 35 are supported by the side plates 170 for rotation and extend transversely across the housing 11. The rollers 172, 174, 176, 178, 199, 180, 182, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210 rotate in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10. The rollers 173, 175, 177, 179, 196, 181, 183, 201, 203, 205, 207, 209, and 211 rotate in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 10.The side plates 170 together with the gears and rollers journalled thereto are slideably insertable into tation tothe rollers200 -and 202.A drive-gear 217 rotates the gear 216 in response to. the rotation of the The film advancing rollers of the present invention are self-adjusting or floating to obviate the jamming of film therebetween. Toward this end, a typical roller, such as roller 52 (FIG. 9), will be described. The roller 52 comprises a cylindrical body 220 of suitable plastic material. A bore 221 is formed at one end in which is fixed tubular cushion sleeve 222 of yieldable or resilient material, such as rubber. A pin 223 is fixed with the rubber sleeve 222 and is supported by the end plate 51 for rotation. On the opposite side of the body 220 is formed a bore 224, in which is fixed a tubular cushion sleeve 225 of yieldable or resilient material, such as rubber. A pin 226 is fixed within the cushion sleeve 225 and is supported by the plate 51 for rotation. The gear 52a is fixed to the pin 226 for fixed rotation therewith. The rollers in the developer section 20, the fixer section 25, the wash section 30, the dryer section 35 and the crossover section 50 that contact the film F for advancing the same are similarly constructed.

A supply of developer solution is maintained in a suitable container 230 (FIGS. 1 and 11) externally of the housing 1 1. Suitable tubing 231 communicates with the developer supply container 230 and the developer side of a developer-fixer replenishing pump 232 (FIGS. 2 V

and 11). The developer-fixer replenishing pump 232 is a well-known dual bellows pump manufactured by Gorman-Rupp Industries, of Beltville, Ohio. Conduits 233 communicate with the developer side of the pump 232 and the developer tank 60. In a like manner, a supply of fixer solution is maintained in a suitable container 235 externally of the housing 11. Suitable tubing 2 3 6 V I the housing 11 for the wash tank portion thereof and and removable from dryer compartment 35 as an inte- V gral unit.

Mounted on the housing 11 above the rollers 174 and 176 is a well-known dryer blower 218 (FIG. 4) for developing film. Another well-known lower 219 is mounted in the housing 11 below the rollers 173 and 175, which is also conventional for'film developing. The blowers 218 and 219 direct a tangential blast of air on. opposite exposed surfaces of the film F as it advances through the dryer section 35. The blowers 218 and 219 also include electrical heating elements mounted on the air discharge side of the blowers and the temperature of the air blast in the dryer section 35 is maintained in the vicinity of 120 150 F. In addition, the film advancing rollers also generate heat and transfer heat to the film as part of the film drying process.

for circulation about the developer tank 60 and the fixer tank 100. The supply of hot and cold water is fed to a conventional thermostatic control valve 250 (FIGS. 2 and 11). A solenoid-operated control valve 253 is opened to enable the flow of water from the thermostatic mixing valve 250 into the housing 11 when the apparatus 10 is turned on. Thermostatic control valve 250 which is responsive to the temperature of the developer in the developer tank 60, maintains the temperature of the water advancing to the wash tank portion of the housing 11 at a prescribed temperature range. The system just described is similar to like arrangements employed for conventional washing machines.

The water is admitted into the developer side of the housing 11 through a conduit 260 adjacent the developer tank 60. The water is circulated as a wash solution into the wash portion of the housing 1 1 or into the wash section 30. The temperature around the developer tank 60 is maintained by the water therearound at a temperature in the range of F., depending on the desired chemistry or film being developed. Temperature about the fixer tank 100 does not appear to be critical.

An overflow drain system is provided for the water in the housing 11. Toward this end, a drain pipe 261 (FIG. 11) is disposed in the housing 11 with a suitable opening 262 at a preselected desired height. When water in the housing 11 exceeds the predetermined height, the excess water passes into the opening 262 through the drain pipe 261 and into a drain external to the housing 11. The water advancing beyond the solenoid valve 253 continues through conduit 260, which has its discharge outlet 263 adjacent the developer tank 60 for supplying water into the housing 11. The discharge outlet 263 of the conduit260 is preferably at least one inch above This arrangement, obviates the need for a vacuum breaker in theapparatus 10.

Overflow arrangements are also provided for the fixer solution and the developer solution. For this purpose, a suitable drain pipe, not shown, is disposed in the fixer tank 100 with an opening at a preselected height thereof. Excess fixing solution advances through the opening and is drained off through a suitable pipe not shown. The excess fixer solution is channeled to a silver reclamation unit for recovering silver deposited by the film into the fixer solution. A drain pipe 266 shown in FIG. 11. is disposed in the developer tank 60 with an opening at a predetermined height. Excess developer solution passes through the opening and is drained off through the pipes 266 and 261. The outlet of the drain pipe 261 communicates with a pipe, not shown, for draining off to a suitable drain external to the housing 11.

According to the present invention, the replenisher pump 232 is arranged to pump a fresh supply of developer solution into the developer tank 60 and to pump a fresh supply of fixer solution into the fixer tank 100 in accordance with the advancement of the quantity of film through the apparatus 10 to maintain the proper level of chemical balance of the developer solution and fixer solution, respectively. The supply of the respective solutions is determined by the linear distance travelled by the film advancing through the apparatus 10.

Toward this end, an electrical switch 270 (FIGS. 2, 4, l and 11) is mounted in the dryer section 35 in the path of travel of the film F advancing adjacent the pairs of rollers 180-181. The actuation of the switch 270 by the advancing film in the dryer section 35 operates the pump 232 to replenish the supply of both fixer solution and developer solution.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the automatic processing of X-ray film sheets, comprising:

a unitary housing having formed thereindeveloper,

fixer, wash and dryer compartments and further including a crossover compartment disposed above said developer, fixer and wash compartments and extending over the aggregate length thereof;

a plurality of processing-tank roller-assembly modules each module being associated with a corresponding one of said compartments and including a plurality of film transport drive rollers rotatably mounted between a pair of spaced side plates, each of said drive rollers having a gear affixed to one end thereof, each of said modules being slidably insertable into and removable from a corresponding one of said compartments;

a single crossover roller assembly module disposed within said crossover compartment and being slidably insertable thereinto and removable therefrom independent of said processing tank roller assembly modules, said crossover roller assembly including a plurality of film transport rollers rotatably mounted between a pair of spaced side plates, said crossover roller assembly module extending the length of said crossover compartment above said the preselected height for the water in the housing 11.

I developer, fixer, and wash compartments and being so positioned as to direct film sheets from said developerto said fixer compartments and thereafter from said fixer to said wash compartments,'each of said crossover rollers having a gear affixed to one end thereof, said gears being positioned to mate with corresponding ones of said gears on said film transport drive rollers of said processing tank roller assembly modules; and

motor means disposed within said housing and including a drive shaft having at least one drive gear mounted thereon for engagement with only one corresponding gear of said crossover roller assembly module, said roller gears together defining a continuous gear train integral to said roller assembly modules and removable therewith from said housing.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing is provided with a cover at the top thereof having an inlet communicating with said developer compartment and an outlet communicating with said dryer compartment, whereby said film sheet enters and exits said apparatus at the top.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said housing and said cover are plastic.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising resilient mounting means for attachment of said rollers to said roller assembly modules, whereby said rollers are free to yieldably move with respect to one another to accommodate film sheets of various thickness.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said mounting means comprises a sleeve of resilient material fixedly mounted with a bore at each end of said roller, and an axial pin captured within said sleeve at one end and rotatably journalled to said roller assembly module at the other end.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising blower means within said dryer compartment for directing a tangential blast of air against each side of said film sheet as it moves through said dryer compartment.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a supply of developer solution; conduit means communicating with said supply of developer solution and said developer compartment for conducting developer solution into said compartment; pump means between said supply of developer solution and said compartment for controlling the flow of developer solution thereinto from said developer supply; and switching means disposed in the path of travel of said film to be activated thereby for controlling the operation of said pump means whereby the flow of developer solution into said developer compartment is commensurate with the linear travel of said film through said apparatus.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: a supply of fixer solution; and, conduit means communicating with said supply of fixer solution and said fixer compartment for conducting fixer solution thereinto from said fixer supply, said pump means being disposed between said fixer supply and said fixer compartment for controlling the flow of fixer solution thereinto from said fixer supply, said switching means controlling the operation of said pump means whereby the flow of fixer solution into saidfixer compartment is commensurate with the linear travel of said film through said apparatus.

t t s t 

1. Apparatus for the automatic processing of X-ray film sheets, comprising: a unitary housing having formed therein developer, fixer, wash and dryer compartments and further including a crossover compartment disposed above said developer, fixer and wash compartments and extending over the aggregate length thereof; a plurality of processing-tank roller-assembly modules each module being associated with a corresponding one of said compartments and including a plurality of film transport drive rollers rotatably mounted betwEen a pair of spaced side plates, each of said drive rollers having a gear affixed to one end thereof, each of said modules being slidably insertable into and removable from a corresponding one of said compartments; a single crossover roller assembly module disposed within said crossover compartment and being slidably insertable thereinto and removable therefrom independent of said processing tank roller assembly modules, said crossover roller assembly including a plurality of film transport rollers rotatably mounted between a pair of spaced side plates, said crossover roller assembly module extending the length of said crossover compartment above said developer, fixer, and wash compartments and being so positioned as to direct film sheets from said developer to said fixer compartments and thereafter from said fixer to said wash compartments, each of said crossover rollers having a gear affixed to one end thereof, said gears being positioned to mate with corresponding ones of said gears on said film transport drive rollers of said processing tank roller assembly modules; and motor means disposed within said housing and including a drive shaft having at least one drive gear mounted thereon for engagement with only one corresponding gear of said crossover roller assembly module, said roller gears together defining a continuous gear train integral to said roller assembly modules and removable therewith from said housing.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said housing is provided with a cover at the top thereof having an inlet communicating with said developer compartment and an outlet communicating with said dryer compartment, whereby said film sheet enters and exits said apparatus at the top.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said housing and said cover are plastic.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising resilient mounting means for attachment of said rollers to said roller assembly modules, whereby said rollers are free to yieldably move with respect to one another to accommodate film sheets of various thickness.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said mounting means comprises a sleeve of resilient material fixedly mounted with a bore at each end of said roller, and an axial pin captured within said sleeve at one end and rotatably journalled to said roller assembly module at the other end.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising blower means within said dryer compartment for directing a tangential blast of air against each side of said film sheet as it moves through said dryer compartment.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising: a supply of developer solution; conduit means communicating with said supply of developer solution and said developer compartment for conducting developer solution into said compartment; pump means between said supply of developer solution and said compartment for controlling the flow of developer solution thereinto from said developer supply; and switching means disposed in the path of travel of said film to be activated thereby for controlling the operation of said pump means whereby the flow of developer solution into said developer compartment is commensurate with the linear travel of said film through said apparatus.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 further comprising: a supply of fixer solution; and, conduit means communicating with said supply of fixer solution and said fixer compartment for conducting fixer solution thereinto from said fixer supply, said pump means being disposed between said fixer supply and said fixer compartment for controlling the flow of fixer solution thereinto from said fixer supply, said switching means controlling the operation of said pump means whereby the flow of fixer solution into said fixer compartment is commensurate with the linear travel of said film through said apparatus. 